Ujjayant Girino Ek Khandit Aprakashit Prashasti Lekh

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text:

Book Title: Ujjayant Girino Ek Khandit Aprakashit Prashasti Lekh (An Unilluminated Fragmentary Inscription from Ujjayantgiri) Author: Lakshman Bhojak Publisher: Z_Aspect_of_Jainology_Part_2_Pundit_Bechardas_Doshi_012016.pdf

This article discusses a fragmentary, previously unpublished Sanskrit inscription found on Girnar (Ujjayantgiri). The inscription, carved on a yellow stone measuring approximately 32 x 4 inches, consists of about thirty-six lines. These are four corner fragments of a larger inscription.

Discovery and Condition:

• The fragments were first observed in 1973 during a survey by Shrimadhusudan Dhanki and the current author.
• Attempts were made to read the inscription in 1977 and again recently.
• The fragments were found near the courtyard of the so-called Kumarpal temple on Girnar, on its northern side, alongside other sculptural fragments.
• The central and most significant part of the inscription is lost, making it difficult to establish context and continuity. Many important facts from the original text have been lost.
• The inscription has been exposed to the elements for many years, causing significant erosion. Some letters are completely worn away and illegible, while others are entirely missing due to damage to the stone.
• The date of the inscription is lost, but the day is identified as Kartik Vad 5.

Dating and Content:

• The script is similar to inscriptions from the 12th century, with the use of vowel signs.
• The name of King Kumarpal is mentioned in three places within the available fragments.
• The eulogist (Prashastikar) is identified as Vijaysinh Suri of the Brihad Gaccha.
• Based on these details, the inscription is attributed to the period of the Chaulukya ruler Kumarpal (1145-1175 CE).

Key Individuals and Mentions:

• The inscription begins with a eulogy to Neminath, described as the "jewel of the Yaduvansh," son of Shivadevi, and beloved of Rajamati.
• "King Kumarpal" (Kumarpal Nripati) is mentioned in a fragmented section.
• Verse 13 mentions Revatak and Raivatgiri (Girnar).
• Verse 17 refers to "Kumarpal-Kshitipal" (Kumarpal, ruler of the earth).
• Verse 19 points to a commander (Dandeshwar/Dandnayak) of "Kumar-Nrup." The name is lost, but it is speculated to be Amradev or Ambak, who was responsible for the steps on Girnar around 1222-23 VS (1166-67 CE).
• Verse 20 mentions a spring from the Gajpadakund.
• Verse 23 names Jagatsinh.
• Verse 24 mentions Jasailadevi (?).
• Verse 32 mentions Somsinh. The interrelationship of these individuals and their good deeds on Girnar (or elsewhere) cannot be ascertained due to the missing parts. The word "Prpā" (spring/water source) is found in Verse 33.
• The name of Vijaysinh Suri is found in Verse 35 and again in Verse 36, where it is clearly stated that Vijaysinh Suri of the Brihad Gaccha composed the inscription.
• The sculptor (Sutradhar) is likely from the "Mewada" community, as suggested by the final fragmented part, though the name is lost.

Further Discussion on Dating:

The author provides three points to further solidify the dating of the inscription:

1. The Period of Vijaysinh Suri's Existence:

   • Vijaysinh Suri was a contemporary of Jayasinghadeva Siddharaj and Kumarpal.
   • He was a disciple of Ajitdev Suri of the Brihad Gaccha.
   • He was the guru of Somaprabhacharya, the author of the renowned Jinvallabhpratibodh (Kumarpalpratibodh), dated 1241 VS (1185 CE).
   • This suggests Vijaysinh Suri was a contemporary of Somaprabhacharya and likely passed away a few years before 1185 CE.
   • Inscriptions from his consecration of an idol in 1127 CE (1143 VS) in Karat (present-day Kartal) near Abu are available, clearly placing them in Siddharaj's time.
   • His consecration of Jina Parshvanath idols in 1148 CE (1204 VS) and 1180 CE (1206 VS) in Arasan places them in Kumarpal's time.
   • Considering the maturity of the poetic style in the Girnar inscription, it's likely it was composed in his later years.

2. Mention of Kumarpal's Malwa Victory:

   • The Vadnagar inscription of Kumarpal, composed by Mahakavi Shri Pal, dated 1207-8 VS (1150-51 CE), mentions Kumarpal's victory over Ballal in Malwa.
   • This victory likely occurred shortly before 1150 CE.
   • Therefore, the present Girnar inscription should also have been composed after 1150 CE.

3. The Commander's Appointment:

   • From administrative records, it is known that Sajjan was the commander of Saurashtra during Siddharaj's reign.
   • Contemporary writer Khadgaccha Somaprabhacharya, in Jitharmpratibodh, states that Kumarpal appointed Ambak, son of Shrimāli Ranig, to that position.
   • Later literature, such as Vijaysen Suri's Revantgiriraso (circa 1232 CE) and other chronicles, also discusses this.
   • Short inscriptions from 1166 CE (1222 VS) and 1167 CE (1223 VS) mention Ambak undertaking construction of steps on Girnar.
   • Furthermore, Vijaysen Suri mentions in the aforementioned Raso that Ambak's brother Dhawal built a spring (prpā). The word "prpā" appears in the inscription under discussion.
   • If the inscription by Vijaysinh Suri refers to Amradev as the commander at that time, it is possible the inscription dates to around 1166-1167 CE.

The Inscription Reading (Partial):

The article then provides a partial transcription of the inscription, with many lacunae and uncertainties due to the damaged state of the stone. The transcription includes the beginning eulogy, mentions of rulers and individuals, and some poetic verses.

In essence, this article meticulously analyzes a newly discovered, though incomplete, inscription from Girnar, firmly placing it within the reign of King Kumarpal and the period of Vijaysinh Suri of the Brihad Gaccha, while highlighting the challenges in fully reconstructing its content due to its deteriorated condition.